3 September 2020
Highcroft Investments PLC
Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2020
Key Highlights:
*Gross rental income increased 11.74% to
*Net rental income increased 3.7% to
*99% occupancy in the property portfolio (2019 100%)
*100% of Q1 rent, 77% of Q2 rent and 81% of Q3 rent, due to date, collected
*Adjusted earnings per share reduced 3.5% to 35.9p (2019 37.2p)
*Total earnings per share reduced to 51.4p loss (2019 21.9p profit)
*Net investment into property £nil (2019 net investment
*Property valuation decreased by 5.2% to
*Net assets per share decreased 6.8% to 1095p (December 2019 1175p, June 2019 1195p)
*Loan to value 31.9% (December 2019 30.2%, June 2019 29.5%)
Dear Shareholder
I am writing to report our half year 2020 results. It has been an extremely difficult period which has been unduly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the business has demonstrated resilience under the circumstances in the 6 months to 30 June 2020, the Board is mindful that there remains a significant amount of risk and uncertainty surrounding the outlook for the remainder of the financial year. Taking all of this into account, and given our focus on active asset management, I feel we have performed well in the first half and, having collected 100% of our Q1 rent, we collected a respectable 77% of Q2 rent and 81% of Q3 rent (due to date) so far. We continue to have a conservative view on debt which stood at 31.9% loan to value at the half year with cash on the balance sheet of
The group has not made any new property acquisitions during the period although gross rent has increased by 11.4% as a result of our 2019 acquisitions and rent reviews carried out in the last 12 months. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have provided for
More specifically, our high street retail and leisure asset values, which represent only 20.4% of our overall portfolio, have fallen by 10.9% and 8.5% respectively; however, in-line with our strategy to diversify our exposure and buy quality assets, our office and industrial properties have held up better with both falling by just 2.7%.
Dividend
Whilst the business has performed robustly during the first half of 2020 against a difficult backdrop, we remain mindful of the increased risk brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential knock-on effect to our tenants. Highcroft has been a public company for several decades and has always prided itself on paying an increased dividend each year. The group is, however, operating in very unusual and unpredictable times and is, as a result, taking a cautious approach to working capital management to ensure that it is able to continue to deliver long term shareholder value post COVID-19. We have therefore decided to defer our decision in relation to the interim dividend until October when we will have the initial indications of our Q4 rent collection and more information as to the anticipated impact of the pandemic during the remainder of this financial year and in to 2021.
Outlook
The group has always taken a prudent approach to its operating model to ensure long term value creation for all stakeholders. I would like to thank my colleagues and our business partners for their pro-active approach which has resulted in a robust performance in the period and we continue to monitor the evolving situation closely. The outlook for the group is likely to be overshadowed by the effects of COVID-19 for some time; however, we continue to work closely with our tenants and all other stakeholders to ensure we protect occupancy levels and limit the short-term impact.
We have a well-balanced portfolio with low gearing, a healthy positive cash position, and strong balance sheet which should position us well to withstand a potentially protracted period of economic weakness.
Charles Butler
Chairman
2 September 2020
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.
For further information, contact:
Highcroft Investments PLC
Charles Butler/Roberta Miles +44 (0)1865 840023
N+1 Singer
Peter Steel / Amanda Gray - Corporate Finance
Tom Salvesen - Corporate Broking
+44 (0)20 7496 3000
Condensed consolidated interim statement of comprehensive income (unaudited)
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
|
|
Unaudited |
Unaudited |
Audited |
||||||
|
|
First half 2020 |
First half 2019 |
Full year 2019 |
||||||
|
Note |
Revenue £'000 |
Capital £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Revenue £'000 |
Capital £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Revenue £'000 |
Capital £'000 |
Total £'000 |
Continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross rental income |
|
3,044 |
- |
3,044 |
2,726 |
- |
2,726 |
5,840 |
- |
5,840 |
Bad debt provision |
|
(195) |
- |
(195) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Property operating expenses |
|
(72) |
- |
(72) |
(48) |
- |
(48) |
(184) |
- |
(184) |
Net rental income |
|
2,777 |
- |
2,777 |
2,678 |
- |
2,678 |
5,656 |
- |
5,656 |
Valuation gains on investment property |
|
- |
600 |
600 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
739 |
739 |
Valuation losses on investment property |
|
- |
(5,115) |
(5,115) |
- |
(792) |
(792) |
- |
(3,627) |
(3,627) |
Net valuation (losses)/gains on investment property |
|
- |
(4,515) |
(4,515) |
- |
(792) |
(792) |
- |
(2,888) |
(2,888) |
Dividend income |
|
- |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
3 |
Gains on investments |
|
- |
- |
- |
53 |
- |
53 |
- |
53 |
53 |
Losses on investments |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Net investment income |
|
- |
- |
- |
56 |
- |
56 |
3 |
53 |
56 |
Administrative expenses |
|
(471) |
- |
(471) |
(411) |
- |
(411) |
(826) |
- |
(826) |
Operating profit before net financing costs |
|
2,306 |
(4,515) |
(2,209) |
2,323 |
(792) |
1,531 |
4,833 |
(2,835) |
1,998 |
Finance income |
|
2 |
- |
2 |
5 |
- |
5 |
6 |
- |
6 |
Finance expenses |
|
(458) |
- |
(458) |
(396) |
- |
(396) |
(856) |
- |
(856) |
Net finance costs |
|
(456) |
- |
(456) |
(391) |
- |
(391) |
(850) |
- |
(850) |
Profit before tax |
|
1,850 |
(4,515) |
(2,665) |
1,932 |
(792) |
1,140 |
3,983 |
(2,835) |
1,148 |
Income tax (charge)/credit |
4 |
8 |
- |
8 |
(11) |
- |
(11) |
72 |
(66) |
6 |
Total profit and comprehensive income for the financial period |
|
1,858 |
(4,515) |
(2,657) |
1,921 |
(792) |
1,129 |
4,055 |
(2,901) |
1,154 |
Basic and diluted earnings |
6 |
|
|
(51.4p) |
|
|
21.9p |
|
|
22.3p |
Condensed consolidated interim statement of financial position (unaudited)
as at 30 June 2020
|
Note |
Unaudited 30 June 2020 £'000 |
Unaudited 30 June 2019 £'000 |
Audited 31 December 2019 £'000 |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
Investment property |
7 |
82,195 |
88,805 |
86,710 |
Equity investments |
8 |
- |
9 |
- |
Total non-current assets |
|
82,195 |
88,814 |
86,710 |
Current assets |
|
|
|
|
Trade and other receivables |
|
1,526 |
668 |
1,147 |
Cash at bank and in hand |
|
1,779 |
610 |
1,559 |
Total current assets |
|
3,305 |
1,278 |
2,706 |
Total assets |
|
85,500 |
90,092 |
89,416 |
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Interest bearing loan |
|
4,000 |
- |
4,000 |
Trade and other payables |
|
2,626 |
2,123 |
2,495 |
Total current liabilities |
|
6,626 |
2,123 |
6,495 |
Non-current liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Interest-bearing loans and borrowings |
9 |
22,200 |
26,200 |
22,200 |
Total non-current liabilities |
|
22,200 |
26,200 |
22,200 |
Total liabilities |
|
28,826 |
28,323 |
28,695 |
Net assets |
|
56,674 |
61,769 |
60,721 |
Equity |
|
|
|
|
Issued share capital |
|
1,294 |
1,292 |
1,292 |
Share premium |
|
51 |
- |
- |
Share based payment |
|
19 |
- |
12 |
Other equity reserve |
|
(53) |
- |
- |
Revaluation reserve - property |
|
9,514 |
17,456 |
12,931 |
Revaluation reserve - other |
|
0 |
5 |
- |
Capital redemption reserve |
|
95 |
95 |
95 |
Realised capital reserve |
|
28,995 |
28,990 |
28,995 |
Retained earnings |
|
16,759 |
13,931 |
17,396 |
Total equity |
|
56,674 |
61,769 |
60,721 |
Condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
|
Issued share capital (note 10) |
Share premium
|
Share based payment
|
Other equity reserve |
Revaluation reserve property
|
Capital redemption |
Realised Capital |
Retained earnings |
Total |
|
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
£'000 |
At 1 January 2020 |
1,292 |
- |
12 |
- |
12,931 |
95 |
28,995 |
17,396 |
60,721 |
Transactions with owners: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,397) |
(1,397) |
Issue of shares |
2 |
51 |
- |
(53) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
2 |
51 |
- |
(53) |
- |
- |
- |
(1,397) |
(1,397) |
Reserve transfers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-distributable items recognised in income statement: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revaluation losses |
- |
|
- |
- |
(4,515) |
- |
- |
4,515 |
- |
Realised gains |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Excess of cost over revalued amount taken to retained earnings |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,098 |
- |
- |
(1,098) |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
(3,417) |
- |
- |
3,417 |
- |
Share award expensed |
- |
- |
7 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
7 |
Loss and total comprehensive income for the period |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(2,657) |
(2,657) |
At 30 June 2020 |
1,294 |
51 |
19 |
(53) |
9,514 |
95 |
28,995 |
16,759 |
56,674 |
First half 2019 Unaudited
|
Issued share capital £'000 |
Revaluation reserves |
Capital redemption £'000 |
Realised capital £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Property £'000 |
Other £'000 |
||||||
At 1 January 2019 |
1,292 |
18,770 |
574 |
95 |
28,378 |
13,275 |
62,384 |
Transactions with owners: Dividends |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(1,744) |
(1,744) |
Reserve transfers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-distributable items recognised in income statement: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revaluation losses |
- |
(792) |
- |
- |
- |
792 |
- |
Movement in deferred tax on realisation of equities |
- |
- |
34 |
- |
(34) |
- |
- |
Realised gains |
- |
- |
- |
- |
43 |
(43) |
- |
Surplus attributable to assets sold |
- |
- |
(603) |
- |
603 |
- |
- |
Excess of cost over revalued amount taken to retained earnings |
- |
(522) |
- |
- |
- |
522 |
- |
|
- |
(1,314) |
(569) |
- |
612 |
1,271 |
- |
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,129 |
1,129 |
At 30 June 2019 |
1,292 |
17,456 |
5 |
95 |
28,990 |
13,931 |
61,769 |
Condensed consolidated interim statement of changes in equity (continued)
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
Full year 2019 Audited
|
Issued share capital £'000 |
Share Based payment reserve £'000 |
Revaluation reserves |
Capital redemption £'000 |
Realised capital £'000 |
Retained earnings £'000 |
Total £'000 |
|
Property £'000 |
Other £'000 |
|||||||
At 1 January 2019 |
1,292 |
- |
18,770 |
574 |
95 |
28,378 |
13,275 |
62,384 |
Transactions with owners: Dividends |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(2,829) |
(2,829) |
Reserve transfers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-distributable items recognised in income statement: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revaluation (losses) |
- |
- |
(2,888) |
- |
- |
- |
2,888 |
- |
Realised gains/(losses) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
43 |
(43) |
- |
Movement in deferred tax on realisation of equities |
- |
- |
- |
29 |
- |
(29) |
- |
- |
Surplus attributable to assets sold in the year |
- |
- |
- |
(603) |
- |
603 |
- |
- |
Reassessment of carrying value of reserves |
- |
- |
(4,168) |
|
|
|
4,168 |
|
Excess of cost over revalued amount taken to retained earnings |
- |
- |
1,217 |
- |
- |
- |
(1,217) |
- |
|
- |
- |
(5,839) |
(574) |
- |
617 |
5,796 |
- |
Share award expenses |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
12 |
Profit and total comprehensive income for the period |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1,154 |
1,154 |
At 31 December 2019 |
1,292 |
12 |
12,931 |
- |
95 |
28,995 |
17,396 |
60,721 |
Condensed consolidated interim statement of cashflows
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
|
Unaudited First half 2020 £'000 |
Unaudited First half 2019 £'000 |
Audited Full year 2019 £'000 |
Operating activities |
|
|
|
Profit before tax for the period |
(2,665) |
1,140 |
1,148 |
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
Net valuation losses on investment property |
4,515 |
792 |
2,888 |
Net gains on investments |
- |
(53) |
(53) |
Share based payment expense |
7 |
- |
12 |
Finance income |
(2) |
(5) |
(6) |
Finance expense |
458 |
396 |
856 |
Operating cash flow before changes in working capital and provisions |
2,313 |
2,270 |
4,845 |
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables |
(393) |
(197) |
(667) |
Increase/(decrease) in trade and other payables |
131 |
(156) |
325 |
Cash generated from operations |
2,051 |
1,917 |
4,503 |
Finance income |
2 |
5 |
6 |
Finance expense |
(458) |
(396) |
(856) |
Income tax received/(paid) |
22 |
- |
(93) |
Net cash flows from operating activities |
1,617 |
1,526 |
3,560 |
Investing activities |
|
|
|
Purchase of fixed assets - investment property |
- |
(11,897) |
(11,898) |
Sale of fixed assets - equity investments |
- |
723 |
724 |
Net cash flows from investing activities |
- |
(11,174) |
(11,174) |
Financing activities |
|
|
|
Dividends paid |
(1,397) |
(1,744) |
(2,829) |
New bank borrowings |
- |
6,800 |
6,800 |
Net cash flows from financing activities |
(1,397) |
5,056 |
3,971 |
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents |
220 |
(4,592) |
(3,643) |
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January |
1,559 |
5,202 |
5,202 |
Cash and cash equivalents at period end |
1,779 |
610 |
1,559 |
Notes (Unaudited)
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
1. Nature of operations and general information
Highcroft Investments PLC ('Highcroft' or 'company') and its subsidiaries' (together 'the group') principal activity is investment in property. It is incorporated and domiciled in
2. Basis of preparation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2020. They have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, Interim Financial Reporting. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the group for the year ended 31 December 2019.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investment properties and the measurement of equity investments at fair value. These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies adopted in the last annual financial statements for the year to 31 December 2019.
The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the group for the purposes of preparation of these condensed consolidated interim financial statements.
The financial statements are drawn up on a going concern basis. The directors have a reasonable expectation that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and consider that there are no material uncertainties that lead to significant doubt upon the group's ability to continue as a going concern. Cash flow forecasts are prepared annually as part of the planning and budgeting process and are monitored and reworked regularly. The group has fixed-term non-amortising borrowing and has additional headroom available.
3. Segment reporting
The group has one main business segment - property.
In 2020 the largest tenant represented 11% (2019 9%) and the second largest tenant represented 7% (2019 7%) of gross commercial property income for the period.
4. Income tax credit/(charge)
|
First half 2020 £'000 |
First half 2019 £'000 |
Full year 2019 £'000 |
Current tax: |
|
|
|
On revenue profits |
8 |
- |
72 |
On capital profits |
- |
(11) |
(99) |
|
8 |
(11) |
(27) |
Deferred tax |
- |
- |
33 |
Total tax |
8 |
(11) |
6 |
The taxation charge has been based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full year. As a Real Estate Investment Trust the group does not pay corporation tax on its profits and gains from its property activities.
Notes (Unaudited) (continued)
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
5. Dividends
The following property income distributions have been paid by the company:
|
First half 2020 £'000 |
First half 2019 £'000 |
Full year 2019 £'000 |
2019 final: 27.00p per ordinary share (2018 final 33.75p) |
1,397 |
1,744 |
1,744 |
2019 interim: 21.00p per ordinary share |
- |
- |
1,085 |
|
1,397 |
1,744 |
2,829 |
6. Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the loss for the period of
In order to draw attention to the impact of valuation gains and losses which are included in the income statement but not available for distribution under the company's articles of association, an adjusted earnings per share based on the profit available for distribution of
|
First half 2020 £'000 |
First half 2019 £'000 |
Full year 2019 £'000 |
Earnings: |
|
|
|
Basic earnings |
(2,657) |
1,129 |
1,154 |
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
Net valuation losses on investment property |
4,515 |
792 |
2,888 |
Gains/(losses) on investments |
- |
- |
(53) |
Income tax on profits |
- |
- |
66 |
Adjusted earnings |
1,858 |
1,921 |
4,055 |
Per share amount: |
|
|
|
Earnings per share (unadjusted) |
(51.4p) |
21.9p |
22.3p |
Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
Net valuation losses on investment property |
87.3p |
15.3p |
55.9p |
(Gains) / losses on investments |
- |
- |
(1.0p) |
Income tax on profits |
- |
- |
1.3p |
Adjusted earnings per share |
35.9p |
37.2p |
78.5p |
Notes (Unaudited) (continued)
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
7. Investment property
|
First half 2020 £'000 |
First half 2019 £'000 |
Full year 2019 £'000 |
Valuation at 1 January |
86,710 |
77,700 |
77,700 |
Additions |
- |
11,897 |
11,898 |
Disposals |
- |
- |
- |
(Loss)/gain on revaluation |
(4,515) |
(792) |
(2,888) |
Valuation at period end |
82,195 |
88,805 |
86,710 |
The directors have used an external independent valuation of properties at 30 June 2020 which has been carried out consistently with the annual valuation. The independent valuer, Knight Frank LLP, included a material uncertainty clause in their valuation reports relating to assets valued at
8. Equity investments
|
First half 2020 £'000 |
First half 2019 £'000 |
Full year 2019 £'000 |
Valuation at 1 January |
- |
679 |
679 |
Additions |
- |
- |
- |
Disposals |
- |
(670) |
(670) |
|
- |
- |
9 |
Unlisted investments transferred to other receivables |
- |
- |
(9) |
Valuation at period end |
- |
9 |
0 |
9. Interest bearing loans
|
First half 2020 £'000 |
First half 2019 £'000 |
Full year 2019 £'000 |
Short-term bank loans due within one year |
4,000 |
- |
4,000 |
Medium-term loans |
22,200 |
26,200 |
22,200 |
The medium-term bank loans comprise amounts falling due as follows: |
|
|
|
Between one and two years |
7,500 |
4,000 |
- |
Between two and five years |
- |
7,500 |
7,500 |
Over five years |
14,700 |
14,700 |
14,700 |
The debt is secured on certain assets within the group's property portfolio.
Notes (Unaudited) (continued)
for the six months ended 30 June 2020
10. Share capital
|
First half 2020 |
First half 2019 |
Full year 2019 |
Allotted, called up and fully paid ordinary shares of 25p each |
|
|
|
At I January |
5,167,240 |
5,167,240 |
5,167,240 |
Issued in the year in connection with Highcroft incentive plan |
7,935 |
- |
- |
At period end |
5,175,175 |
5,167,240 |
5,167,240 |
11. Related party transactions
Kingerlee Holdings Limited owns, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, 27.2% (2019 27.2%) of the company's shares and D H Kingerlee is a director of both the company and Kingerlee Holdings Limited.
During the period, the group made purchases from Kingerlee Limited, a subsidiary of Kingerlee Holdings Limited, being a service charge in relation to services at Thomas House, Kidlington of
12. Net assets per share
|
First half 2020 |
First half 2019 |
Full year 2019 |
Net assets |
|
|
|
Ordinary shares in issue |
5,175,175 |
5,167,240 |
5,167,240 |
Basic net assets per share |
1095p |
1195p |
1175p |
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, this condensed consolidated set of half-year financial statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34. The half-year management report includes a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the
· an indication of the important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year ending 31 December 2020 and their impact on the condensed consolidated set of half-year financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year; and
· disclosure of material related party transactions in the first six months of the financial year, and any material changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report.
A list of current directors is maintained on the Highcroft Investments PLC website: www.highcroftplc.com.
By order of the board.
Charles Butler
Chairman
2 September 2020